FOOTBALL: New Bern's Taylor following Williams’ path

The last time the New Bern Bears won a state championship, they were led by a senior quarterback — a signal-caller with a strong arm and the ability to make plays happen with his legs.

Adam Thompson, Sun Journal Staff

The last time the New Bern Bears won a state championship, they were led by a senior quarterback — a signal-caller with a strong arm and the ability to make plays happen with his legs.

Brett Williams conducted the Bears to a miraculous 28-17 win over perennial powerhouse Charlotte Independence in the 2007 4AA state title in Winston-Salem.

New Bern is looking for its second state championship in five years, directed by another athletic senior quarterback — Josh Taylor.

Taylor, who owns nearly every quarterback record at New Bern High, will play his final high school football game for the Bears on Friday evening.

His prep career, which started against Wilmington Hoggard on Oct. 16, 2009, culminates with the 4A state championship game against Porter Ridge at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill.

“I’m real excited to be here,” Taylor said. “I’m not going to think about it too much. I’m not going to try to over-analyze anything. I’m going to focus on the game. I’m going to focus on eating right before the game and getting warmed up just like a regular game.”

Taylor owns a 41-5 record as New Bern’s starting quarterback. He owns the school record for wins, passing yards, rushing yards for a quarterback and touchdowns.

This season, the 5-foot-11 senior, has thrown for 2,371 yards and 24 touchdowns, as well as 1,207 rushing yards and 13 more scores.

“This year, I wasn’t expecting to put up crazy numbers,” Taylor said. “I knew we were going to get the ball to a lot of people. We spread it around to everybody. I wasn’t too focused on my stats this year.”

Taylor is an accurate passer and an elusive ball-carrier. His style emulates Williams, who spear-headed New Bern to a come-from-behind victory over Charlotte Independence in his final game in 2007.

Williams, now a senior baseball player at N.C. State, passed for 189 yards and ran for another 109 yards en route to being named the state championship game’s Most Valuable Player.

New Bern trailed 14-0 in the first quarter, before cutting its deficit to 14-13 at halftime.

Williams’ 37-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Mike Price gave the Bears a lead they would not relinquish.

“I’m not going to lie, it took me all of four years to figure it out,” Williams said. “You just have to learn to trust your offensive line and trust that your receivers are going to get open.

“For the first three years, I was more of a run first quarterback, then I grew into the role of stepping back and delivering the ball in the pocket.”

Taylor has known Williams for a while, and watched many of his games at New Bern High. Williams is friends with Taylor’s brother, Zack.

The younger Taylor looks up to Williams as a football player, and as an athlete.

“Brett was a great quarterback, a great baseball player as well, and he did everything they needed him to do that year,” Taylor said.

Williams said it was “fun” watching Taylor lead New Bern to a 23-6 win over Scotland County Friday in the 4A Eastern Finals.

“I’ve talked to Josh a few times and hung out with him a few times,” Williams said. “He is a good kid and he reminds me a lot of me when I was a quarterback because we kind of play the same style. He is fast and has a great arm.”

With Taylor and Williams piloting New Bern to its last two state championship appearances, the Bears have had the luxury of having two talented quarterbacks that have precise passing skills along with breakaway speed.

“It’s a huge advantage,” he said. “It’s harder for (opposing) teams to game plan for that. They aren’t sure if the quarterback is going to sit back and throw or it could be a designed draw play.

“Sometimes you have to improvise. If someone gets through the line, and you have to make a move, you do anything you can to get positive yards.”

Aside from their on-field prowess, Williams and Taylor never want to lose.

Williams led New Bern to a 14-2 record in 2007. Its only losses were to eventual 4A champion Wilmington Hoggard and powerhouse Richmond County.

Taylor’s guided the Bears to three-consecutive 4A state semifinal appearances. They lost to Durham Hillside, 12-7, in 2010, and fell to Scotland County, 61-28, last season.

Taylor finally got New Bern over the hurdle — rushing for 114 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s game against Scotland County.

“The main thing is they both have a never-say-die attitude,” New Bern coach Bobby Curlings. “They were ready to play the next play and give it everything they’ve got.”

Williams, who is planning on attending Friday’s state championship game, has a little advice for Taylor.

“The only thing I would have to say for him is to keep doing what he’s doing and don’t be intimidated by the big stage,” Williams said. “I would him to stay positive, keep the team together and know what they have to win.”

Adam Thompson can be reached at 252-635-5669 or at Adam.Thompson@newbernsj.com. Follow Adam on Twitter @Adam_matic.

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